Betsson withdraws from Holland Gaming Technology acquisition

Betsson, the Swedish-headquartered online gaming group, has officially terminated its agreement to acquire Holland Gaming Technology and Holland Power Gaming, ending a deal initially valued at €27.5 million (£23.1 million).

The decision, announced on June 3rd, 2025, comes after prolonged delays from the Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), which failed to issue a decision on the acquisition by the agreed long-stop date.

The acquisition, first announced in February 2024, was designed to facilitate Betsson’s re-entry into the regulated Dutch iGaming market.

Holland Gaming Technology, a Netherlands-licensed operator, and its games studio, Holland Power Gaming, would have provided Betsson with an immediate foothold in the country’s legal online gambling sector.

Under the terms of the deal, Holland Power Gaming was set to continue supplying exclusive content to Holland Gaming Technology.

However, with the KSA not providing the necessary regulatory approval, Betsson elected to unwind the transaction.

As a result, Holland Gaming Technology and Holland Power Gaming revert to their original owners, and Betsson will be refunded €26.7 million (£22.4 million), minus a break fee.

The company stated that this reversal will not have any notable impact on its consolidated income statement.

Betsson’s challenges in the Netherlands are not new. The company exited the Dutch market in September 2021, just before the launch of the country’s regulated iGaming sector, with hopes of returning under new licensing conditions.

Betsson had applied for its own Dutch licence but withdrew the application in July 2023, citing significant delays and a lengthy approval process.

The acquisition was intended to bypass these hurdles by integrating an already-licensed operator, but regulatory delays again proved insurmountable.

The unwinding of the Holland Gaming Technology deal underscores the complexities of entering tightly regulated markets and the importance of timely regulatory approvals for international gaming operators seeking expansion.